But first--before I got to New Orleans--I went to see Summer in Morgan City (where her family lives). Summer's daddy passed away yesterday morning, as I waited to board my flight to New Orleans. The timing was both horrible and perfect; I'm so sad that I didn't get there in time, but I'm grateful that I got to be with Summer last night . . . she and her mama and Mr. B were so welcoming and wonderful, despite the circumstances, and we sat together and had a little wine and looked at pictures of Daddy Butch with Summer's sister and niece. It was sad, but it was wonderful to be with them.
Sadly, this is the only proof of our time together. We drove to Summer's sister's house to pick up some fans (it is so hot & humid here!), and Adam snapped this picture of me and Summer with fans piled on top of us in the back seat of her mama's car!
Well, it's mostly true that that picture is our only proof. There is one more (slightly clearer) version, but I forbid Summer from acknowledging it cause I had a double chin. Ha.
And here's a dose of extreme cuteness--I'm not normally a tiny-designer-dog loving person, but Summer's mama's dog is adorable.
You should've seen her when she stole my apple slice this morning!
3 lbs of mischief.
3 lbs of mischief.
And speaking of Summer's mama, she's practically my new BFF. I loooooove her, and we're so much alike! She's got blonde hair and she loves astrology and lots of gold bling and she is a vegetarian. :) It was really nice hanging out with all of them, both to mourn Daddy Butch and to celebrate him. Summer showed me a very sweet video of her daddy--all hooked up to machines--smiling so big when she started talking to him. He was in his hospital bed and he was on oxygen, but his beautiful daughter was still making him laugh . . . .
This morning, when the family headed out to the funeral home, I drove back to New Orleans and checked into my hotel. I'm so happy to be here! The first thing I did was hop on the streetcar and head to our old college hangout, Maple St., where I had a $2.50 draft Abita:
and now I am stealing away a moment before meeting some folks at our other old college hangout, Lebanon's Cafe! So excited. More on New Orleans tomorrow!